The 2022 US Open has set a record $60.1 million in total player compensation as per the US Tennis Association on Thursday. The tournament will be awarding $2.6 million to the singles champion, twice the runner-up total. The prize money leaps over the old mark of $57.5 million from last year, with a focus on improving payouts for players in early rounds.
That means a gain of $80,000 for each singles competitor in the main draw first round and $121,000 in the second round. These figures are hikes of 85% and 57% respectively since 2016. The USTA arrived at the figures after working with the WTA and ATP Player Councils. There will be more than $6.25 million distributed in qualifying rounds.
Doubles champions will be paid $688,000 per team, twice what the runner-up duo will receive. Main draw matches for this year’s final Grand Slam event in New York hardcourts are set to start on 29 August.
Total breakdown of US Open prize pool:
Main Draw - Singles
Champion - $2,600,000
Runner-Up - $1,300,000
Semifinalist - $705,000
Quarterfinalist - $445,000
Round of 16 - $278,000
Round of 32 - $188,000
Round of 64 $121,000
Round of 128 - $80,000
Main Draw - Doubles (each team)
Champion - $688,000
Runner-Up - $344,000
Semifinalist - $172,000
Quarterfinalist $97,500
Round of 16- $56,400
Round of 32 - $35,800
Round of 64 - $21,300
The US Open also marks the return of Rafael Nadal to Grand Slam tennis after he pulled out of the 2022 Wimbledon in the semi-final because of an injury. Addressing his return to the Grand Slam event, he said, “I am positive. In terms of practice, I need to start to be in a Grand Slam mode, practising the way that I need to practise to be competitive since the beginning there, and I hope I will be able to make that happen."
“I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd gives me in New York. I know it’s a very special place for me, and I enjoy it, unforgettable moments there, and I’m going to try my very best every single day to be ready for that," he added.
